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Loch Lochy

Coordinates: 56°58′07″N 4°54′38″W / 56.96861°N 4.91056°W / 56.96861; -4.91056
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Loch Lochy
View from the A82
LocationLochaber, Highland, Scotland
Coordinates56°58′07″N 4°54′38″W / 56.96861°N 4.91056°W / 56.96861; -4.91056
Typefreshwater loch
Primary inflowsRiver Lochy
Primary outflowsCaledonian Canal
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Max. length16 km
Surface area16 km²
Average depth70 m
Max. depth162 m
Water volume1.1 km3 (0.26 cu mi)
Surface elevation94 ft (29 m)
SettlementsClose to

Nevis range mountains experience 0.7km

Loch Lochy image

Loch Lochy (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Lochaidh) is a large freshwater loch in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. With a mean depth of 70 m (230 ft), it is the third-deepest loch of Scotland.

Geography

Located 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Loch Ness along the Great Glen, the loch is over 15 km (9 mi) long with an average width of about 1 km (0.6 mi). The River Lochy flows from its southwestern end while the Caledonian Canal links its northeastern extent to Loch Oich.

Loch Lochy should not be confused with Loch Loch, which lies to the east of Beinn a' Ghlò.

History

The Battle of the Shirts was fought at its northern end near Laggan in July 1544, between Clan Donald and Clan Fraser.[1]

The Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig in September 1665 ended a 360-year feud between the Camerons and the Chattan Confederation. It took place at Achnacarry, on the isthmus between Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig.

Folklore tales mention 'a supernatural being' called the River Horse which was said to emerge from the lake and assume a horse's shape before feeding on the loch's banks.[2] The River Horse was also known as the Lord Of The Lake and the Water King and would overturn boats and 'entice mares from their pastures'.[2] Another tradition was that of the River Bull, 'a gentle, harmless creature', who would 'emerge from the lake into the pasture of cows'.[2]

References

  1. ^ Appleton's European guide book for English-speaking travellers, Volume 1 page 92 (1886)
  2. ^ a b c "PECULIAR SUPERSTITIONS". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 3 January 1925. p. 36. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
View over Loch Lochy